Kim Kwan-young, Yoo Seung-min on 'Unification with the Korean Party'... "Son Hak-kyu Was Right"

Regarding Ahn Cheol-soo's Party Withdrawal: "Regrettable That the Path for a Third Party Has Been Blocked"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Independent lawmaker Kim Kwan-young, who left the Bareunmirae Party, stated on the 11th regarding Yoo Seung-min of the New Conservative Party pushing for a merger with the Liberty Korea Party, “(Son Hak-gyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party’s prediction) was correct,” adding, “It ultimately proceeded as a predetermined step.”

On the same day, Kim said on tbs radio’s ‘Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory,’ “Since last April, (Yoo Seung-min’s faction) has been preparing to leave, and since then, there have been multiple talks about (merging with the Liberty Korea Party), and such movements have been reported.”

Regarding his own departure from the Bareunmirae Party, Kim said, “With the founding figures Yoo and former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo both leaving and the party becoming divided, the public seems to feel that the Bareunmirae Party is insufficient to responsibly carry out political reforms going forward,” adding, “After much consideration, I thought it was only right to come out as an independent and be evaluated for my eight years of legislative work.”

On former lawmaker Ahn’s departure, he said, “I thought that if Leader Son and Ahn, ultimately restoring the former People’s Party in Honam and achieving some plus alpha, there might be a way to seek the path of a third party once again,” adding, “It is unfortunate that this part was aborted.”

He continued, “Ultimately, it is a power struggle between Leader Son and Ahn,” and said, “I told Leader Son that if he temporarily stepped down (from the leadership), I would welcome him back as a co-chief election committee chairman, but Leader Son did not accept.”

Regarding the push for integration among the Bareunmirae Party, the Alternative New Party, and the Party for Democracy and Peace, Kim said, “I think there is insufficient public consensus on why a competitive structure is necessary in Honam or why integration is needed, other than political engineering calculations at this time.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.